Today's NYT Strands is live for Thursday, April 9, 2026 (Puzzle #767). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "In the paint"
What It Really Means
This theme points to different types of painting mediums and techniques used by artists.
Think About...
- Art supplies and painting materials
- Different types of paint used by artists
- Traditional and modern painting techniques
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Horizontal
Letter Count: 6 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the fourth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think about what artists use to create their work
Hint 2 (Warmer): This word describes the material or substance used in painting
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is M, last letter is M
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MEDIUM
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A traditional wall painting technique
Closer: Often found in historic churches and cathedrals
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 6 letters total
Answer
FRESCO
Word 2
Vague: A hard, glossy coating
Closer: Used on ceramics, jewelry, and sometimes teeth
Letter Clue: Starts with E, 6 letters total
Answer
ENAMEL
Word 3
Vague: A soft, chalky drawing material
Closer: Comes in sticks and creates delicate, blendable colors
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 6 letters total
Answer
PASTEL
Word 4
Vague: A transparent, water-based paint
Closer: Known for its delicate, translucent appearance
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 10 letters total
Answer
WATERCOLOR
Word 5
Vague: A modern, fast-drying paint
Closer: Popular for contemporary art and crafts
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 7 letters total
Answer
ACRYLIC
Word 6
Vague: An egg-based painting technique
Closer: Used in Renaissance art before oil paints became popular
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 7 letters total
Answer
TEMPERA
Full Answers
Spangram: MEDIUM
Theme Words:
- FRESCO
- ENAMEL
- PASTEL
- WATERCOLOR
- ACRYLIC
- TEMPERA
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: TEMPERA (Less common than other painting mediums)
Our Take: A solid art-themed puzzle that covers both traditional and modern painting techniques. The spangram "MEDIUM" cleverly ties everything together as the unifying concept for all the painting materials. While most words are recognizable to art enthusiasts, TEMPERA might stump casual solvers unfamiliar with historical painting methods.
